Improvised Explosive Device (IED)

Improvised Explosive Device

Soviet Union | 1975

"The Improvised Explosive Device has proven the weapon of choice for rebel groups in Iraq and Afghanistan."

Close-up-view of a simple wireless IED - note wired receiver, battery pack and explosives pack.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 04/28/2021 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Improvised Explosive Devices ("IED") are in-the-field detonating devices designed to specifically injure, harass or kill individuals or groups of people. IEDs have long since been an accepted part of guerilla-style warfare where conventional warfare exceeds the capabilities of rebel-style groups. IEDs are typically prepared roadside or thrown onto the roads as an enemy vehicle passes. In either case, surprise is the key element and IEDs are, therefore, generally camouflaged t hide their sinister role.

IEDs have been created by all manner of ways including use of household chemicals and elements or military-grade components combined into the proper combustible combination. IEDs can further be of various sizes with the larger versions appropriately causing the most damage/harm. IEDs can be delivered via simple paper bags and steel pipes (as "pipe bombs") to card board boxes and milk crates. Other packages that have been used (particularly in Iraq since 2003) include mortar and howitzer shells - supplying a large blast radius with applicable fragmentation. Such implements can be set off via a timer, timed fuse or cell phone.

IEDs have proven exceedingly popular in ongoing actions across Iraq and Afghanistan by members of Al Qaeda and the Taliban whose access to heavy weaponry is limited and must, therefore, by of the improvised variety (ala the Molotov Cocktail). Coalition forces in the Iraq and Afghan theaters have been attacked by IEDs since the respective invasions to which whole infantry fighting vehicles have been upended in massive explosions. HUMVEEs have proven particularly vulnerable in the early stages of the wars to which up-armored variants were later developed. The extensive use of IEDs by the enemy has led to a surge in mine-resistant vehicles being procured by coalition forces. Mine-resistant vehicles - known as "MRAPs" - are specially designed to withstand certain blast forces from various angles and provide the crew within with a certain level of protection - often at the cost of the entire vehicle itself.

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Performance
Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Improvised Explosive Device (IED). Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

1
Rounds-Per-Minute
Rate-of-Fire

Physical
The physical qualities of the Improvised Explosive Device (IED). Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

Timed / Fuse / Radio-Activated Explosive.
Action

Not Available.
Caliber(s)

Single Instance.
Feed

Not Applicable.
Sights

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Improvised Explosive Device family line.

Not applicable. IEDs come in varying shapes and sizes and explosive material is often sized to the required expected blast.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Improvised Explosive Device (IED). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): Home-made / Battlefield Improvised.

[ Afghanistan; Chechnya; Indonesia; Iraq; Ireland; Israel; Pakistan; Russia; Soviet Union; Syria ]

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Image of the Improvised Explosive Device (IED)

Close-up-view of a simple wireless IED - note wired receiver, battery pack and explosives pack.

Going Further...
The Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Improvised Explosive Device appears in the following collections:

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